Distress Brief Support service to offer immediate support to at-risk

The Tablelands is one of two regions statewide which will trial a new suicide prevention service. See the detail.

A new suicide prevention trial will launch in the Tablelands to provide immediate support to those at risk as part of a wider regional approach to combat the issue.

The Tablelands is one of two regions across the state to trial the new Distress Brief Support service, which will be delivered in partnership by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS).

The trials will offer early support to people in distress, without the need to present to mental health or health services first and is a joint state and federal government initiative.

The program, which will also be trialled in Ipswich, will focus on providing non-clinical support and is not an alternative for people who require urgent, hospital-based care.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said a community touchpoint - someone in a community setting such as a library or club that the person in distress frequents.- would provide “immediate compassionate response” as the first tier of the Distress Brief Support service.

“The community touchpoint will then refer the person in distress to the Distress Brief Support short-term support team who will provide up to 14 days of support with an aim to work through the underlying drivers of their distress, manage their distress, and support them to feel connected,” she said.

The Tablelands will trial a Distress Brief Support service to provide immediate support to those at-risk. Picture: iStock

“Support will also be provided to friends, family, and caregivers of those experiencing psychosocial distress to better equip their loved one.”

CHHHS Mental Health Clinical Director Mike Tervit said this service would allow local community members the benefit of remaining close to home, while receiving immediate support and understanding of how to effectively manage their distress and how and where to seek further help.

According to the interim Queensland suicide register, the Cairns and Hinterland region recorded has an overall age standardised suspected suicide rate of 20.9 persons per 100,000 with one of the highest male suspected suicide rates.

In July, the Cairns Post published an exclusive report highlighting the staggering suicide numbers in remote communities especially among Indigenous youth, where National Mental Health Commission adviser Dr Mark Wenitong called for better follow up by the healthcare system following suicide presentations in emergency wards.

On Friday, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman released Phase Two of Every life: The Queensland Suicide Prevention Plan 2019-2029 – which has an increased focus on groups disproportionately impacted by suicide, including men, those from regional, rural and remote areas, First Nations people, and young people – alongside $11.5m to better support at-risk groups

As part of the Government’s commitment to improving the way data is used to drive suicide prevention planning and implementation, the Queensland Mental Health Commission will begin releasing suicide statistics on a monthly basis.

Where to get suicide and mental illness support:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

SANEAustralia Tel. 1800 18 SANE (7263)

Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline (children under 18) 1800 55 1800

1800 Respect 1800 737 732

13 YARN – 13 92 76 – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Originally published as Distress Brief Support service to offer immediate support to at-risk